
ORK AND WORKERS 



PAR KH U R ST 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Shelf JP?) 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



WORK AND WORKERS 



PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 
JUNIOR EPWORTH LEAGUE 

/ 

FREDERICK S. PARKHURST, B.D. 



AN INTRODUCTION 

BY 

REV. EDWIN A. SCHELL, Ph.D. 

General Secretary of the Efi worth Leagtie 




JI/m 24 18S3 

m0 



NEW YORK : HUNT & EATON 
CINCINNATI: CRANSTON & CURTS 
1893 



T 



Copyright, 1893, by 
HUNT & EATON, 
New York. 



TH1 LIBRARY 
OF CONGRESS 



Electrotyped, printed, and bound by 
HUNT & EATON, 
150 Fifth Avenue, New York. 



DEDICATION. 



TO THOSE WHO ARE SHAPING THE CHURCH OF TO-MORROW 
THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS 

DEDICATED 

# BV THE AUTHOR. 



PREFACE. 



The Junior Epworth League is the youngest child in 
the great Methodist family. The organization itself is 
in its earliest infancy. The indications are favorable 
for a more general awakening to the importance of this 
movement. Pastors are inquiring into the nature of the 
Junior Epworth League, and "convention echoes'* 
sound a note of marked attention paid to the papers on 
Junior Epworth League work. 

The present work has been a growth. Before the 
days of the Epworth League, or Oxford League, when 
no general organization of young people's societies ex- 
isted, and when no provision was made for the religious 
instruction and training of the children, aside from 
those of a disciplinary character, the writer had in 
successful operation a "Young People's Union" and 
a "Children's Class," the records of which form an in- 
teresting chapter of history in the private record of the 
pastorate. 

When the Junior Epworth League appeared the 
author was not slow to organize, Charter No. 66 being 



6 



PREFACE. 



secured for the "Children's Meeting 99 of Canisteo, 
N. Y. Since then we have practically tested every de- 
partment of work in the model Constitution published 
by the society. In the author's humble judgment this 
society answers the oft-repeated question, " How shall we 
secure the boys and girls of ten, twelve, and fourteen 
years of age for the Church ? " The practical helps 
and hints that are offered in this volume have been 
tried and found helpful. We are aware, however, that 
very much depends upon tact and adaptation. No set 
of rigid rules and regulations was ever framed that 
would work equally well in every Junior Epworth 
League. " It is the Spirit that quickeneth." 

If this little volume shall prove helpful to those al- 
ready engaged in the most momentous work ever given 
to men, that of training the present generation of boys 
and girls for church work, and shall stimulate the pas- 
tors of the churches to action, its mission will be ful- 
filled. Frederick S. Parkhurst. 

Rochester, N. Y., March 17, 1893. 



CONTENTS. 



Introduction Page II 

CHAPTER I. 

THE JUNIOR EPWORTH LEAGUE. 

The "Epworth Wheel "—Its Scope— The League Defined— The 
Future Epworth League — A Problem Solved — Growth of the 
Junior Epworth League — Helps to Organization — How to 
Organize — Supplies — " Boys' Junior League " — " Epworth 
Guards" — Permanency 13 

CHAPTER II. 

DEPARTMENT OF SPIRITUAL WORK — HEART. 

The Junior League Prayer Meeting — Opening and Closing Exer- 
cises — Time of Holding the Meeting — The Boys and Girls for 
Jesus — Evangelistic Methods — Testimony — The True Basis — 
The Promise Fulfilled — Bishop Vincent — Topic Cards 18 

CHAPTER III. 

DEPARTMENT OF MERCY AND HELP — HAND. 

A Present Day Problem — Legitimate Church Work — A Field of 
Labor — Rally Day — Publications — Bishop Warren — A Chicago 
Society — The Juniors are Coming — Helpfulness — Reaching 
Absentees — Flower Missions — The Ivy Leaf — Missionary Meet- 
ings — M Lend-a-hand Work " — Where to Hold Meetings. ... 22 



8 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER IV. 

DEPARTMENT OF LITERARY WORK — HEAD. 

Two Departments Combined — The Bible the Text-book — Courses 
of Study — Taylor Street Church, Minneapolis — Grades in the 
League — General Grant's Message — A Touching Story — His- 
tory of Our Own Church — The Catechism — Beaten by a Cate- 
chism — Indoctrination — Supplemental Lessons — Vacations — 
The Collection — How to Use the Blackboard — Singing— A 
Jewish Legend Page 30 

CHAPTER V. 

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK — FEET. 

Entertainments — Socials — Professor \V. P. Ferguson's Plan — Exhi- 
bitions — Diversion — Help from the Epworth League — The Law 
of Substitution 40 

CHAPTER VI. 

DEPARTMENT OF CORRESPONDENCE — PEN. 

Keeping Records— Attendance — Writing for the Herald — Statistics 
— Correspondence 43 

CHAPTER VII. 

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE — POCKET. 

The Collection — Treasurer's Report — Self-support — The Benevo- 
lent Collection — Systematic Giving — Bearing on the Future. 44 

CHAPTER VIII. 

RELATION TO THE EPWORTH LEAGUE. 

Organization — Busy Pastors — Charter — The Coming Leaders — Aux- 
iliary — Help from the Seniors — The Nursery— Dr. J. F. Berry's 
Thrilling Words 46 



CONTENTS. 



9 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE FASTOR AND THE LEAGUE. 

The Presidency — Suitable Leaders — Cultivated Taste — My First 
Children's Class — Waiting to be Led — The Youthful Spirit — A 
Boy's Religion — Talking to Children — Pulpit Notices — " Or- 
ganized Sympathy " — An Advertising Medium — Benevolence — 
A Significant Motto .Page 50 

CHAPTER X. 

PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 

Invitation Cards — Covenant Cards — Membership Cards — A Junior 
Epworth League Press — Bible Outlines — Blackboard Lessons — 
A Bible Study — Bible Sum — Books of the Bible — Variety — 
Another Method — A Lesson on Christian Ethics — Ten Supple, 
mental Lessons and Hints — Additional Exercises for Devotion 
and Instruction — Chapters for Children — Temperance Exercises 
— Practical Work — Vacation — Entertainment — How to Teach 
the Ten Commandments — Bible Drill — An Age Exercise.. . 55 

OUTLINES OF TALKS TO JUNIORS. 

Our Key-words : 1. Heart ; 2. Hand ; 3. Head ; 4. Feet ; 5. Pen ; 
6. Pocket 73 

Prayer Meeting Topics 79 

Appendix 81 



INTRODUCTION. 



The work now attempted by the Junior League 
had before been the result of impulse rather than 
system. It had necessarily been undefined, frag- 
mentary, and too often objectless. The proper field 
of the Junior League in many places was preempted 
by the Sunday school, which, without a system of 
graded lessons, and lacking the power to incorpo- 
rate methods proper only for week days, was not fully 
performing the work. Fugitive attempts undoubt- 
edly had been made to give honest answers to the 
presiding elder's question, " Have the rules respect- 
ing the instruction of children been observed ?" 
But for the most part the instruction of children in 
the doctrines and duties of religion had gone by de- 
fault, and there was a woeful lack of the patience 
and perseverance so necessary for the education of 
youth. No wonder the rank weeds and springing 
nettles that grow so plentifully in unoccupied soil 
filled many a spot that would have become with 
proper care a garden of the Lord. 



12 



INTRODUCTION. 



This work, by common consent so important, has 
been undertaken by the Junior League. Interest 
in the growth of the organization is widespread. 
Before the accompanying volume can be issued from 
the press there will be two thousand Junior Leagues ; 
any one, therefore, who has ideas to express and 
methods to recommend will be sure of a cordial 
hearing. When the writer, as in the case of Brother 
Parkhurst, is able to refer the reader to the work of 
his own Junior League, and from the view-point of 
personal achievement is willing to attempt to indi- 
cate the paths of success to others, his words be- 
come doubly welcome. My prayer is that it may 
aid to systematize and promote the work of the 
Junior League. 

Edwin A. Schell. 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



We can raise more Christians by juvenile Christian culture than 
by adult conversion — a thousand to one. — Dr. J. G. Holland. 

I. 

THE JUNIOR EPWORTH LEAGUE. 

When the Epworth League was born, in the Central 
Church, Cleveland, O., May 14, 1889, there at once 
opened up a vast realm for immediate possession. It de- 
signs to utilize every atom of religious force in the Church. 
The Epworth " wheel " contains the necessary circumfer- 
ence to environ all the latent energies of the Church. 

In Department I (Spiritual Work) Junior Epworth 
League work is given a fitting place. The relation of 
the Epworth League to the Junior League will occupy a 
special chapter later on ; but suffice to say here that 
the people who planned the Young People's Society of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church did not overlook their 
little brothers and sisters. 

The Junior Epworth League is to the boys and girls 
between the ages of six and fourteen what the Epworth 



14 WORK AND WORKERS. 

League is to the young men and women — a place where 
they may be trained in the knowledge and use of the 
Bible, drilled in the doctrines, history, and institutions 
of the Church, developed in Christian character, and 
fitted for the practical and social life of the Church. 

The Junior Epworth League may be organized in any 
church under its own charter, elect its own officers, and 
fulfill all the requirements for the religious instruction 
of children, and at the same time make a successful 
nursery for the Epworth League. 

As the forty-five boys and girls came out of their class 
room last Sunday night, where their devotional meeting 
had been held, and took their places — as many of the 
older ones did — among the young people of the Epworth 
League who were just opening their service, I said to our 
president : " There comes the future Epworth League ! " 

In the Hanson Place Methodist Episcopal Church, 
Brooklyn, N. Y., the Junior Epworth League has solved 
the problem of the attendance of children at the public 
service in the morning. They assemble promptly at 
10:30 a. m., and march into the gallery two hundred 
strong, singing " Onward, Christian Soldiers ! " 

The growth of the Junior Epworth League has been 
slow. Its future is to be made. As yet there are not 
two thousand chapters organized. It is recommended 
that where a "children's class " or "boys and girls' 
prayer meeting " or any like society exists it shall 
become transformed into a Junior Epworth League at 



THE JUNIOR EPWORTH LEAGUE. 1 5 



once. If it is very desirable the present name may be 
retained, but let the society come into affiliated relations 
with the General Office at Chicago. Usually this will 
meet with but little or no opposition. The change will 
in nearly every case give a new impetus to the work 
already begun. 

Like the Epworth League, the Junior Epworth 
League does not seek to coerce any previously existing 
society into this official relation ; but, being already in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, it is better that they march 
in line and keep step with the militant host of Metho- 
dism ; also that they have representation in the Quarterly 
Conference. If the Woman's Home Missionary Society 
have a " Mission Band," "Willing Workers," or "Little 
Gleaners" society organized, let them establish a Junior 
Epworth League, and become responsible for the De- 
partment of Mercy and Help. 

In those churches where there is a "Band of Hope," 
or juvenile temperance society of any name, they too 
should join the League and take charge of the Depart- 
ment of Social Work. 

Some of the boys and girls will prefer Departments I 
and III, and all together will form a full-fledged 
League. 

By some such plan as the above the Junior Epworth 
League can be organized on every charge in the 
Church. The boys and girls will be brought into the 
most agreeable and helpful relations to the Church ; the 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



work they are engaged in will progress with greater pros^ 
perity ; the unity thus established will be a beautiful 
illustration of the Christian faith. The place to begin 
the cultivation of Christian unity is among the children. 

Call whatever society exists together, or, if there is 
none, give notice from the pulpit and in Sunday school 
for a meeting of all the boys and girls of the church 
between the ages of six and fourteen, say at four 
o'clock on Friday afternoon, two o'clock on Saturday 
afternoon, or some hour on Sunday afternoon or even- 
ing, whichever seems to be the most favorable time. 
After singing one or two spirited hymns, followed by 
prayer, let the pastor or superintendent present the 
Junior Epworth League idea, outlining briefly each 
department of work, ask how many would like such an 
organization, and behold with what eagerness and readi- 
ness they will respond. The fact is, the children are 
waiting, and have been for years, for some one to lead in 
this modern Children's Crusade. Organize at once. 
Send for a charter, be sure and frame it, and hang it 
in the room where you meet. We have found several 
Leagues that have no charter ; it is a little thing, but 
works wondrous enthusiasm. Get a supply of badges, 
singing books, reward cards, membership tickets, and 
other supplies for instruction in the various depart- 
ments. Older people have these things in their societies, 
and there is no use trying to hold children unless you 
have something to entertain, interest, and instruct. 



THE JUNIOR EPWORTH LEAGUE. 17 



Rev. Albert D. Knapp organized Chapter No. 146 as 
a " Boys' Junior League." Seven, sixteen, fifty boys at 
the third meeting. Exercises are held on Monday 
evening at 7:30 o'clock. Devotion and instruction are 
combined. This works admirably where no special 
hour is given purely to devotion. A form for the re- 
ception of members, in which a covenant is repeated by 
the League and signed by the candidate, " general 
business," " the march," and other exercises make an 
interesting and hopeful meeting. 

Rev. N. J. Harkness organized the " Epworth 
Guards," with sword drill, covenant drill, creed drill, 
knee drill, etc., giving the work a military cast highly 
pleasing to the children. 

The new movement started by Professor Drummond, 
known as the Boys' Brigade, seeks to establish between 
growing boys and young men friendly and helpful re- 
lations. Wherever possible the Junior Guards should 
be organized so as to include all the boys of the church 
sixteen years of age and under. A fortnightly "drill" 
will serve not only for physical culture, but its attract- 
iveness will keep growing boys in active connection 
with the Sunday school and church. A manual of mili- 
tary tactics can be procured, and in the hands of some 
bright young man great interest secured. It will be 
found well, however, to organize the Junior Epworth 
League upon principles of permanency, avoiding ex- 
tremely novel and flashy methods. 
2 



i8 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



We may as soon set aside the command, " Feed my sheep," and 
claim to be faithful pastors, as set aside the command, " Feed my 
lambs," and claim to be faithful. — Rev. William Reid. 



II. 

DEPARTMENT OF SPIRITUAL WORK— HEART. 

Under this department should be held a Junior 
Epworth League prayer meeting, in which the members 
should take some part besides singing. Prayer and per- 
sonal testimony are to be encouraged. Responsive 
reading from the Bible, the recital of the Beatitudes, 
the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the 
Apostles' Creed can be used in introductory and clos- 
ing exercises. In some churches it has been found 
advisable to hold separate meetings for boys, and one 
for girls, with different leaders, at the same or 
different hours. In nearly every case, however, it will 
be found best for boys and girls to meet together. 

The Sabbath day is the most fitting time to hold this 
service. In churches where Sunday school is held in 
the morning before public service the devotional meet- 
ing can be held in the afternoon, or vice versa. 

Many churches hold this meeting in the evening., just 
before the Epworth League prayer meeting. We have 



DEPARTMENT OF SPIRITUAL WORK— HEART. 1 9 

seen forty-five boys and girls march out of their own 
meeting into the opening exercises of the Epworth 
League, take part in the singing and Scripture reading, 
giving to the meeting a new interest. Some do not en- 
courage the Juniors to stay to the Senior meeting ; of 
course it will not be unduly urged, nor yet restrained. 
In another church the devotional meeting is held on 
Wednesday night, an hour before the regular church 
prayer meeting. 

" The boys and girls for Jesus," should be the watch- 
word of this department. Our little brothers and sis- 
ters have a Christian experience ; their little trials and 
temptations are just as real to them and as serious in 
their effect upon character as our greater cares. 

The same evangelistic methods may be used among 
children as among adults. The raising of the hand for 
prayer, standing up for Jesus, asking for prayers, 
signing covenant cards, and other exercises designed 
to commit them to the Lord and his work may reason- 
ably be used. 

Encourage the children to witness for the Lord. 

" Though you cannot speak like angels, 
Though you cannot preach like Paul, 

You can tell the love of Jesus, 
You can say, 1 He died for all.' 

<4 Though you cannot rouse the sinner 

With the judgment's dread alarms, 
You can lead the little children 

Safe to Jesus' loving arms." 



20 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



In a certain devotional meeting we know of, the leader, 
with profit and delight, uses lessons from Bunyan's 
Pilgrim's Progress. Another uses the book, Talks to 
Boys and Girls About Jesus. Subjects can be an- 
nounced in advance, as in the Epworth League, such as, 
"The Mother of Jesus," "The Birth of Jesus," "Boy- 
hood of Jesus," " Jesus Bringing Dead Children to Life," 
" The Child in the Midst," " The Children's Church," etc. 

The work of this department is of the first importance. 
If only one department can be worked let it be this one. 
Use the very best talent in the church for edifying and 
instructing the children. The spiritual is the basis for 
all successful work in the church. A pure and worthy 
character is the objective point of Junior League work, 
and must never be lost sight of. 

As many other departments of work as may be taken 
up must be made to contribute to the success of this 
work. Knowledge, sociability, sympathy, and enthusi- 
asm gained in other departments will all add to the 
interest and success of the prayer meeting hour. 

How it makes the heart glad with anticipation to 
think of the day drawing nigh when every vein of our 
church work will throb with life and energy through 
the fulfillment of the promise "to you and to your chil- 
dren forever ! " 

The Epworth League movement has its eye open on 
the near future. Bishop Vincent has eloquently brought 
out this word picture. Look at it : 



4 



DEPARTMENT OF SPIRITUAL WORK — HEART. 21 



"The Church of to-morrow is here. It is singing at 
our doors; it is climbing upon the high chairs in our 
houses; its voice is heard throughout our land. The 
streets of the city are full of boys and girls playing in 
the streets thereof. Look at these representatives of 
the Church of the twentieth century! There are the 
bishops and elders of twenty years hence ; there are 
the deacons and the stewards, the trustees and the 
teachers; and there are the rank and file! " 

Beginning with July i, 1893, The Epworth Hei-ald is 
to publish a uniform series of topics for the Junior 
League prayer meeting. It will add greatly to the in- 
terest of the League to publish a Topic Card, giving 
the name and number of the League, name of the 
church, motto, object, officers, departments of work, and 
prayer meeting topics for at least six months in advance. 
The boys and girls will prize these cards highly; they 
will advertise the League and assist the superintendent 
of the League in preparing for the meetings. 



22 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



Do you hear the children weeping, O my brothers, 

Ere the sorrow comes with years ? 
They are leaning their young heads against their mothers, 

And that cannot stop their tears. 

— E. B. Browning, " The Cry of the Children?' 



III. 

DEPARTMENT OF MERCY AND HELP— HAND. 

The temperance question is one of the greatest pres- 
ent day problems. Perhaps the present generation is 
not to solve its intricacies. Certainly if it is not for our 
eyes to behold, the people of the first quarter of the 
twentieth century will see the question rightly settled. 
What will be the attitude of the people then living ? 
That will depend largely upon the education of the 
children of to-day. No more momentous work was 
ever committed to an intelligent and free people. 

The Church is the legitimate sphere for temperance 
work, and yet how little of it is done in and by the 
Church as a body. We have relegated it to political 
parties and secular organizations. We have let the 
work fall from our hands. How many churches have a 
temperance society of any kind doing active service? 
Few, very few comparatively. Every church should 



DEPARTMENT OF MERCY AND HELP — : 



■HAND. 23 



have some organized temperance agency. Have we 
not neglected the educational department of temperance 
reform? From General and Annual Conferences, and 
from ecclesiastical bodies generally, we have heard ever 
and anon voices of loud protest and anathema against 
the traffic of poison drink beverages, and there the 
thing ends ; failing to carry on the sentiment thus 
aroused, a feeling of discouragement takes possession 
of the people. 

Right here is a field for Junior Epworth League 
workers. One meeting a month should be held under 
the auspices of this department. In churches where 
there already exists a "Band of Hope," "Loyal Legion/' 
or other juvenile society, induce them to organize a 
Junior Epworth League, and take charge of this depart- 
ment of work ; this will be a nucleus about which may 
be gathered all the other departments of the League. 

Make Temperance Day the rallying day of the League. 
How abundant are the helps at hand to make the meet- 
ing enthusiastic and instructive ! Circulate the pledge. 
Don the blue ribbon. Bring facts and figures to the 
blackboard. Give instruction from the best text- 
books. Juvenile temperance supplies are legion. 

The poor orphaned temperance lesson in the " Inter- 
national " system of Sunday school helps, which has 
taken one step nearer to the heart of the school, may 
here find a permanent and true home. 

All the advantages are on the side of the League in 



24. 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



this department. Truth, history, science, law, and ex- 
perience will all contribute to the interest and value of 
this work. 

The publications of the National Temperance So- 
ciety and the fruits of our own church press are replete 
with material that will last a lifetime in this branch of 
Junior Epworth League work; fully one third of the 
publications and one half of the printed matter is for 
the training and education of the children. 

Here, as nowhere else, we can hold up to the Juniors 
the horrors of the drink traffic, the seductive influence 
of the intoxicating cup, the nature and effects of alco- 
hol upon the human system, and the beauties of a pure 
and sober life. 

With books, pamphlets, tracts, papers, lesson leaves, 
concert exercises, dialogues, recitations, pledges, picture 
cards, etc., at hand this department will almost run 
itself. Just spread the feast, say 44 Come" to the boys 
and girls, and mark the eagerness of the response. 

Bishop Warren says : " Intemperance is the personal 
foe of every parent, Sunday school teacher, and preacher 
of righteousness. Pledge all the children to-day to ab- 
stain wholly from its use ; or when they get to be men 
good as Noah they may fall by this sin and incur all 
this shame." 

To-day I saw a young child carrying home beer from 
the saloon in an old broken water pitcher ; yesterday I 
saw a lad wheeling a keg of beer in a handcart ; every 



DEPARTMENT OF MERCY AND HELP — HAND. 25 

day I see a group of young men lounging about the 
saloon door. The latter are only a little farther along 
the down-hill road than the first. Alas ! for our young 
men. For every one saved at the altars of the church 
fifteen are ruined by the saloon. 

" Sometimes," says the New Orleans Advocate, " we 
fear the Church has not yet a clear view of the gravity 
of the situation ; does not see the constant and immi- 
nent danger threatened ; is not using, upon every oppor- 
tunity, voice and vote and influence to break down this 
power. The Church seems slow, O, so slow, to recog- 
nize the fact that this agency of Satan is doing more 
damage to souls, and placing greater obstacles in the 
path of social and civil progress, and limiting more 
the advance of Christianity than all other agencies com- 
bined." 

The society organized in Chicago for the protection 
of children ascertained that about thirty thousand mi- 
nors were in the habit of frequenting the saloons of 
that city. They also found out that a large number of 
saloon-keepers offered prizes to the boys who would 
purchase the largest number of drinks during the month. 
The first prize was a revolver, the second a meer- 
schaum pipe, the third, a pack of cards or a cigar-holder. 
" O, Liberty, Liberty, how many crimes are committed 
in thy name ! " 

Facts and statistics are coming to light and being 
gathered in reference to the early formation of drinking 



26 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



habits that are startling. Out of one hundred and 
thirty-two cases of inebriate women more than one half 
had formed habits of intemperance before they were 
twenty-one years of age, and more than one third at the 
age of fifteen. 

The Junior Epworth League must protect the chil- 
dren from the accursed liquor traffic which destroys the 
bodies and souls of its victims. 

It was Temperance Department Day in our League. 
A children's mass meeting was to be held in one of the 
uptown churches. At 2:30 o'clock we had forty chil- 
dren in line. The officers of the League accompanying 
them, we marched to the meeting. "Who are those 
children ? " was asked by many. " Our Junior League," 
was the proud reply. The Juniors are coming; tremble, 
King Gambrinus ! 

On another occasion we had with us by invitation 
one of the delegates to the World's Women's Christian 
Temperance Union Convention at Boston, Mass., who 
delighted the boys and girls with an account of its pro- 
ceedings. At another time we invited the church or- 
ganist, a boy who played the flute, and other musical 
talent to be at our meeting, and aroused the spirits of the 
children with music. No difficulty will be experienced in 
enlisting the hearty cooperation of the entire League in 
this work. The response will be immediate if only 
some one for love of the cause will take the first step. 
" Every good cause should have the little folks back of 



DEPARTMENT OF MERCY AND HELP — HAND. 27 

it. When you get all the little people right on temper- 
ance, the whole world will soon be right." 

" The drunkards will soon be all gone ; 

The reason is clear, I think : 
The children are taking the pledge, 

That never a drop will they drink." 

At every meeting of the League the roll should be 
called by the secretary. Names of absentees should be 
distributed, and the League thus becomes a "look-out " 
committee. Absent and sick members must be visited. 
" Helpfulness " is the key -word of this department. 
The Juniors are thus taught unselfishness. 

The League must work for the church and Sunday 
school by bringing in new children who have no church 
home. 

Where the Epworth League does not provide flowers for 
the pulpit this work may be done by the Juniors. Little 
church workers can always find something to do for the 
Master. 

41 What your little hands can do, 
That the Lord intends for you." 

The flower mission work is one of great beauty and 
comfort. At the close of the evening services in church 
it is the duty of this department to distribute the flow- 
ers provided for the pulpit among the sick, in each 
case attaching a card, with the name of the society and 
some appropriate motto or Scripture text. In large 
towns and cities it is well to remember the jails, alms- 
houses, reform schools, and hospitals. This kind of 



28 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



work will always be heard from in the most touching 
testimonials. 

Mrs. Annie Thompson, in the Ivy Leaf, says : " A 
little tea to an old woman, or a bag of gingersnaps to 
some lonely boy serving his first sentence in jail, will 
make the flowers all the sweeter and indelibly stamp on 
the heart and brain the accompanying text." 

" Remember thou hast often sinned, 

And sinning yet must be ; 
Deal gently with the erring one, 

As God must deal with thee." 

This department includes home and foreign mission- 
ary work. In the League of which the writer now has 
charge we devote one meeting a month to missions. 
Missionary hymns, texts, stories, tracts, and papers are 
used, the monthly study in the Little Missionary being 
the principal recitation. 

The Woman's Home Missionary Society and Woman's 
Foreign Missionary Society of the church will be able 
to render much assistance here. Invite one of the offi- 
cers to address the League in place of the regular study. 
An hour about the Mother's Jewels Home would make 
a delightful program. 

In churches where there already exists a " Mission 
Band," "Willing Workers," "Little Gleaners," or other 
juvenile missionary society, it is well to enlist them in 
the work of this deparment, or they may be given entire 
charge of this branch of the League. 



DEPARTMENT OF MERCY AND HELP — HAND. 2Q 

What a rare opportunity is here afforded the church 
to awaken an interest in and cultivate a love for mis- 
sions ! Here, as in all lines of church work, the founda- 
tion of success must be laid in child life. The man who 
" don't believe in missions " is very likely to be the one 
that never has known missionary facts and figures. 
Some of our most successful missionaries received their 
first call to work in tender years. 

" Lend-a-hand " work in general may come under this 
department. If it cannot be successfully taken up alone, 
as will be the case in many churches, consolidate it with 
one of the other departments. It is not wise to take up 
too many departments of work, unless the field and the 
workers are at hand. " Each League may select as 
many departments of work as may be deemed practi- 
cable, and may carry on each department under a 
separate leader ; or the whole work may be directed by 
the president, with such assistants as he may choose. " 
In some Leagues Departments I and II, or III and V, 
are united in one. 

It is often found more convenient for this department 
to meet at the home of some one of the members, for 
sewing, pasting picture cards, and the like. The writer, 
however, has found that both boys and girls are more 
interested in missions when the exercises are held in the 
Sunday school room, with general exercises for opening 
and closing, and some special feature for address or 
study arranged for and previously announced. 



30 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



" Feed my lambs." — jfesns. 

IV. 

DEPARTMENT OF LITERARY WORK— HEAD. 

If but one meeting of the League can be held each 
week it is best to combine the work of this department 
with that of the devotional hour. But where time and 
workers can be found this department will yield a large 
increase, second only in importance to purely spiritual 
work. 

The Bible is, above all, the book to be studied here. 
First, drill the children in the number and names of the 
books of the Bible. A simple and pleasing exercise will 
be found in the chapter on Hints and Helps, which 
a child of six years can readily learn. If this were 
taught to the children of the church to-day, in a few 
years hence we should not see the slow and imperfect 
work in "finding the place, " when the pastor announces 
the psalm to be read responsively or the lesson from 
the New Testament. 

It is also recommended to take up some systematic 
study of the Bible. Courses of study have been pro- 
vided for by Dr. Hurlbut, on the successful comple- 



DEPARTMENT OF LITERARY WORK— HEAD. 3 I 



tion of which certificates are given, to which seals may 
be added. See Appendix, 

In the Taylor Street Methodist Episcopal Church, 
Minneapolis, twenty-two out of thirty-five passed the 
examination. The presentation of certificates was made 
a very pleasing part of Children's Day services, and 
was a public recognition of success to these young 
" Bereans."* 

In this department the writer has found it necessary 
to divide the League into two or more divisions for 
recitation, the opening and closing exercises being 
held in one body, the divisions marching to and from 
the front to the signal from the bell, and the march 
played on the organ or piano. 

After a term of Bible study, or in connection with 
it, "Graded Studies," "Church History," "Christian 
Evidences," etc., may be used with great advantage. 
See chapter on Hints and Helps. 

General U. S. Grant's message to the children and 
youth of the United States on June 6, 1876, was this : 
" Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor to your 
liberties ; write its precepts in your hearts and practice 
them in your lives." 

The Bible in the League will lay the principles of 
religious and civil liberty deep in the hearts of the chil- 
dren ; so deep that no icy hand of unbelief nor intrigue 
of the Romish Church can destroy them. 

* Acts xvii, II. 



32 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



Rev. E. Payson Hammond relates the following: "A 
little boy in New England stood by his mother's bed- 
side, and with tearful eyes heard her say, 6 Dear Charlie, 
the doctor has been here, and says I'm soon to die. I 
have nothing to give you but this Bible. I want you to 
promise me that you will read it every day, and trust 
with all your heart in the precious Saviour who bled 
and died on the cross for us ; then we shall surely meet 
in heaven. After I am gone there will be no one to take 
care of you here, so take the Bible and go over the 
mountain road to your Uncle William's, and ask if he 
will let you live with him.' So, after his dear mother 
had been laid away in the village graveyard, he started 
up the mountain side. It was a hot day, and as he 
stopped under a large tree for rest he opened the Bible 
and read, 'When my father and mother forsake me, 
then the Lord will take me up.' 

"A gentleman with a carriage and a fine pair of 
horses coming up the hill noticed the boy, and said to 
him, 'What is that book you are reading ?' 

" ' It's the Bible, sir.' 

" ' What will you take for it ? ' 

" 'I do not wish to sell it, sir.' 

" 1 I'll give you a dollar for it.' 

" ' No, sir ; I do not wish to sell it.' 

" ' I'll give you two dollars for it.' 

" He looked down at his bare feet and thought how 
that money would get him a pair of shoes, and then his 



DEPARTMENT OF LITERARY WORK — HEAD. 33 



torn straw hat, and still he answered, 4 No, sir ; I do not 
wish to sell it.' 

" Still the gentleman kept offering more and more, till 
at last he offered him five dollars. This was more 
money than ever he had had in his life. Yet, bursting 
into tears, he said, ' You shall not have it though you 
give me five hundred dollars.' This touched the gentle- 
man's heart, and he asked, ' Why do you care so much 
for that old Bible? It is not worth a shilling. W T hy do 
you cry about it ? ' Then Charlie told the whole story, 
and with the tears still running down his cheeks he 
added, 1 Before my dear mother died, last Thursday, I 
promised her I would never part with this Bible, and I 
never will, though you offer me five hundred dollars for it. 

u i Where are you going, my little man ? ' 

" ' To my Uncle William's.' 

" 4 I'm going past his door; get in and I will take you 
there.' 

" He did so. They found that Uncle William had 
half a dozen children of his own, and did not care to 
have another mouth to feed. The gentleman therefore 
took the boy home with him, and gave him an education. 
He grew up a good Christian man, trusting in Jesus 
and loving him, and finally became a member of the 
State Legislature of New Jersey. Though he was often 
tempted to turn from the path of duty he lived a Chris- 
tian life, and was ever faithful unto death. He has 
now gone to meet his dear mother in heaven." 



34 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



" Holy Bible, book divine, 
Precious treasure ! thou art mine ; 
Mine to teach me when I rove, 
Mine to tell a Saviour's love." 

Next to the Bible we should take up the history and 
doctrines of our own Church. No branch of the evan- 
gelical Church has a more romantic and remarkable his- 
tory than the Methodist Episcopal Church. The books 
mentioned in the chapter on " Hints and Helps " will 
never fail to awaken an interest in and deepen the de- 
votion to our Church. 

It is in the Junior Epworth League that the Church 
Catechism may be most effectively taught. In the 
great majority of our Sunday schools the Catechism, 
if taught at all, is done to disadvantage and very im- 
perfectly. 

The Catechism should be thoroughly memorized by 
the children before they are allowed to take up the 
higher studies previously mentioned. 

A Chicago paper tells the story of an amusing scene 
in a court room in that city. A little boy about eight 
years old was put on the stand as a witness, when the 
opposing counsel objected on the ground that the child 
did not understand the nature of an oath. 

" Do you know what an oath is, Charlie ? " asked the 
judge. 

"Yes, sir/' answered Charlie; "it is to ask God to 
help you tell the truth. ,, 



DEPARTMENT OF LITERARY WORK — HEAD. 35 

" Where did you learn all this ? " frowned the opposing 
counsel. 

"In the Catechism," said Charlie, not to be frowned 
down by the biggest lawyer in the business. 
" In the Catechism ? What Catechism ?" 
" In the ten-cent Catechism, sir." 

" Who told you to look in the Catechism for the defi- 
nition of an oath ? " 

" My sister. She told me last night, and I got it and 
studied it." 

"Have you got your Catechism with you? " 

" Yes, sir; here it is" — taking the well-thumbed little 
book from his trousers pocket. 

"You seethe boy has his documents," interrupted the 
judge, with a smile ; and a quiet titter went around the 
court room, as it became evident that the lawyer was 
being beaten by the child. 

" H'm ! Let me see the book. I wonder if you know 
anything more that's in it. Who made you ? " 

"Why, God, of course," was the reply, as if the lad 
pooh-poohed the idea of being asked such a simple 
question, and wanted "something hard." 

Several questions were asked and elicited ready re- 
plies. The lawyer saw that he was in for it, and ac- 
cepted defeat as gracefully as possible. Turning to the 
judge, he said : 

" Your honor, I guess we will accept this witness ; 
and as for this little book, I would submit it to my 



36 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



learned friend, the counsel for the other side, and 
recommend its careful perusal by him. It will do him 
good." 

How many good people there are who sniff at the 
Catechism as though it were obsolete ! The good effects 
of its teachings are undervalued. Scotland and Wales 
have the fewest infidels, and infidel writings in their 
language are almost unknown — a living testimony to 
catechetical instruction. 

What is it that has made the Church of Rome what it 
is ? One says, " The authority of the priests ; " another 
says, "The power of the confessional ; " we should say, 
The religious education of her children. Father Hecker 
once said : "The Catholic faith is the only persistently 
progressive religious element in the United States." 
Would it not be well for us to think over that state- 
ment ? Why is Romanism prosperous ? Because she in- 
doctrinates her children. 

In this department the " Ten Doctrines of Grace " 
may be taught in as many different lessons ; also the 
" Ten Points of Church Economy." These will furnish 
during a term of twenty weeks a most admirable course 
of instruction. Other supplemental lessons may be 
added according to the character and circumstances of 
each particular League. 

In many instances it has been found advisable to con- 
duct this department for nine months of the year only. 
A vacation from June to September will give the boys 



DEPARTMENT OF LITERARY WORK — HEAD. 37 

a rest and afford the leader an opportunity to work up 
new methods and plans of work. 

Another advantage to be gained by the existence of 
the Junior Epworth League is that whenever the chil- 
dren are wanted for a rehearsal, as at Christmas, 
Easter, or Children's Day, the department of instruc- 
tion will always find them on hand, and of the most 
reliable kind. 

The use of the blackboard will call forth great inter- 
est in this department. Always have it on duty. A few 
simple marks will reach the heart through the eye when 
words fail through the ear. Put down the number of 
the hymns to be sung at the beginning of the meeting, 
or as they are announced. Print the number present. 
If greater, make a point in a few words about attendance. 
Any scrap of present interest when placed upon the 
board will hold attention and fix an idea. 

Children love to sing. People like to hear them sing. 
Encourage every voice. The leader of the League 
must show great tact right here. Sing often rather than 
too much of any one hymn. Practice antiphonal sing- 
ing, the most ancient and most effective form of 
church music, one that should not be laid aside. The 
only difficulty likely to occur is the want of an efficient 
leader; but poor and few indeed are the churches that 
cannot with a little effort find a competent musician 
for this important branch of church work. A Jewish 
legend has it that when the temple was finished Solo- 



38 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



mon made a great feast in honor of the man who had 
done the most in completing the splendid edifice. The 
feast was spread, the table groaned with fatness. Nobil- 
ity, wealth, representatives of every art that had con- 
tributed to the result were all present. At the king's 
command the guests repaired to the banquet hall, 
when, lo ! to the amazement of all there sat in the chair 
of honor a blacksmith, clad in garments as if just from 
the forge, the veins standing out upon his naked brawny 
arm telling of physical power. His face was calm, and 
when in indignation the king demanded why he dared 
to be in such a place his reply was given with the 
majesty of a king in phrase and manner: " This feast 
was made for him who has done most to complete the 
temple, and I am he;" and rising from his seat he 
stepped to the table, and taking the golden cup filled 
with wine he held it aloft and said, "Long live the 
king," and drank the sparkling beverage. 

The king's attendants were about to expel him with 
violence, when the king demanded an explanation. 
And then the blacksmith said : "I am he who made the 
tools for the architect, the mason, the stonecutter, and 
all. Without me they could have done nothing; so I 
am greater than all." And the king said, "It is well; 
let the feast go on." 

When the temple of American liberty is complete, 
and hundreds of millions of contented and happy and 
virtuous citizens from all climes and of all races shall 



DEPARTMENT OF LITERARY WORK — HEAD. 39 



dwell on our shores ; when anarchy and rum and race 
prejudice shall be forgotten, and the question be asked, 
"Who did most to build this magnificent structure?" 
the reply will be, "The Christian teacher j for his hand 
and brain and heart molded and directed and inspired 
the men and women who did the work." 



4o 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



Behold the child, by nature's 'kindly law, 
Pleased with a rattle, tickled with a straw. 

— Pope^ 4 1 Essay on Man" 

V. 

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK— FEET. 

This department, like the preceding one, may con- 
stitute a part of the regular League meeting for instruc- 
tion, missions, or temperance ; or once a month the 
hour, afternoon or evening, may be given to vocal and 
instrumental music, declamations, and other entertaining 
exercises by the members of the League. 

In cities where there are several Leagues a plan of 
visitation can be carried on by this department, the 
little visitors being entertained with music and light 
refreshments. The social union movement among the 
Seniors has revealed the fact that there is too little ac- 
quaintance between sister congregations. 

At the anniversary of a certain Junior League a 
Silhouette Social afforded a pleasant evening. Each 
member was allowed to invite one friend, the member- 
ship being thereby greatly increased. 

Professor W. P. Ferguson gives the following on this 
department : a Meet once a month, give part of the time 



DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK — FEET. 



41 



to musical and literary exercises, and yet never fail to 
give the children a chance to have a jovial, rollicking 
time. Introduce games, but always of a high order, 
such as progressive spelling. Have a picnic, a field day, 
a sleigh ride. Bring forward a lecture course by home 
talent ; for example, talks by prominent men and women 
on the methods of work pursued in the various manu- 
facturing establishments, on the different walks of pro- 
fessional life, on current events, on travel, on biography. 
Have an old-fashioned spelling school, or declamatory 
contest. Hold a reception to the Senior League, to the 
aged members of the church, or to their parents. In 
this department nothing will prove more fascinating than 
a cadet drill, and in most of our towns a competent and 
worthy drillmaster can be secured." 

Lantern slide exhibitions have great attraction for 
boys and girls. An evening with some Bible characters 
would be both entertaining and instructive. 

Some one of the departments of the Epworth League, 
for example, the Literary Department, could, with but 
little effort, provide an evening's entertainment for their 
coming recruits. 

Many things will be suggested to those having charge 
of this department after the League is fully organized 
and well at work. It will be seen at once that this work 
can only be occasioned j nevertheless its importance 
must not be overlooked. 

Little men and women we try to make out of the 



42 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



Juniors, pure, polite, industrious, and wise ; but we 
must remember that in child life, even more than in 
adult life, there is a desire and need of diversion that 
must be met. 

The great law of substitution can be enforced here. 
A pleasant Junior room, good books, and illustrated 
papers, music, innocent games, and an interesting talk, 
will be more attractive to boys from Christian homes 
than the street corner school. 



DEPARTMENT OF CORRESPONDENCE— PEN. 43 



The pen becomes a clarion. — Longfellow, 

VI. 

DEPARTMENT OF CORRESPONDENCE— PEN. 

The secretary keeps the League records, the name 
and residence of every Junior ; he fills out the member- 
ship cards; he may also keep the attendance by a sys- 
tem of marking during roll call. The secretary takes 
great interest in The Junior Herald j writes letters 
for the children's columns ; furnishes the president of 
the Epworth League with a statistical report every 
quarter, so that he may report the work in the Quarterly 
Conference. 

Once when the superintendent was absent on a long 
journey the Juniors wrote him a letter at the close of 
their regular meeting. It came " as cold waters to a 
thirsty soul," and is still preserved as one of the pleas- 
ant reminders of work among the Juniors. 

A letter written to an absent member will strengthen 
the ties of church life. The secretary should be seated 
at a desk or table during the opening and closing exer- 
cises of the League. 



44 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



Money brings honor, friends, conquest, and realms. — Milton, 
" Pa7'adise Regained?' 

VII. 

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE— POCKET. 

The treasurer should take a collection at each gen- 
eral meeting of the League. The amount should be 
announced and recorded by the secretary with the 
minutes of the meeting. The treasurer will make a 
report at the business meeting of the cabinet. 

Every Junior Epworth League will become self-sup- 
porting if the Juniors are trained in making, saving, and 
giving money. Thousands of Methodist children have 
never yet heard Wesley's rule, " Make all you can, 
save all you can, give all you can." 

Here is a grand opportunity to teach the children 
about our benevolent causes. "A penny from every 
Junior," when the benevolent collection is taken, would 
swell the total not a little if observed throughout the 
whole Church. Systematic giving is showing itself in a 
general increase of support to all causes throughout our 
connection. Begin with the Juniors; then we shall 
soon have intelligent Christian giving. 



DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE— POCKET. 



45 



The business-like conduct of all the affairs of the 
Junior Epworth League will contribute largely to the 
future welfare of the Epworth League. 

" Let the business matters of the Junior Epworth 
League be attended to in a strictly business-like way, 
and let the League learn to be self-supporting." We do 
not know what future financier may be among the boys 
of the League. Among our most wealthy and influential 
laymen may be found those who in boyhood were poor. 

Present the benevolences of the Church to the Juniors. 
Last Easter Chapter No. 210, connected with the Frank 
Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Rochester, N. Y., 
collected, by " Willing Worker Cards," forty dollars as an 
offering to missions. 

When a call comes from a church that has suffered the 
loss of all through fire tell the boys and girls the story, 
and get them to vote a dollar's help. A collection taken 
at each meeting will pay all expenses, with something to 
spare for benevolences and charities. 

Take a collection once a week in the League, either in 
this department or during the devotional hour. Let 
the offerings be voluntary and go toward the expenses 
of the League. " Let the League learn to be self-sup- 
porting. " — Constitution. 



46 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



Junior League Work. — Epworth Wheel, Department of Spiritual 
Work. 

VIII. 

RELATION TO THE EPWORTH LEAGUE. 

While the Junior Epworth League may be organized 
in any church or locality, whether the Epworth League 
is in existence there or not, certain it is that wherever 
there is a chapter of Seniors the Junior League should 
be considered as a part of their legitimate work, and 
should be so reported to the Central Office, and also 
in the regular business meeting of the Epworth League. 

The Junior League should keep pace with the Ep- 
worth League. No League is fully organized without 
this most important adjunct. Too often this work is 
left to the pastor or his wife. A prayer meeting is held 
after Sunday school, when the children are tired and 
hungry, and it is called a Junior League. This is the 
best thing that the busy and overworked minister can 
do, who feels that something must be done. But how 
much more effective, how much broader, the work might 
be made if the proper department of the Seniors would 
take hold of the movement ! 

The Epworth League should look upon the Junior 



RELATION TO THE EPWORTH LEAGUE. 47 



League as their child and charge, exercising a fostering 
care over it ; should look upon the boys and girls as 
their little brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, the 
nursery from which is to come in a few years, by 
natural order, fruitful vines ; the recruiting station from 
which is to come an army of thoroughly trained, conse- 
crated young men and women. 

The Epworth League can be helpful by becoming 
responsible for the expenses of organization. The 
charter should be obtained and framed at once for an 
inspiration to the children. 

In two cases the writer has found even the Epworth 
League without this necessary authority to do the work 
of the Epworth League. "Insignificant" "unnecessary" 
you say; yes, so are a good many things in life; but 
they are, and have influence. 

These charters, neatly framed and hanging on either 
side of the Sunday school desk, show that the Leagues 
of that church are alive and have the best things. The 
Seniors can help the Juniors by attending to the matter 
of securing and framing their charter. There are other 
necessary furnishings to be purchased. These the Ep- 
worth League can provide where the collection taken 
in the Junior Epworth League is insufficient. 

To help educate the benevolent spirit a freewill of- 
fering should be taken at the Junior Epworth League 
meeting, either at the devotional meeting or in the De- 
partment of Literary Work. 



4 8 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



From the ranks of the Epworth League can come the 
leaders of the children's devotional hour and leaders 
for the various other departments of work. This will 
be a solution of the vexed question of many an over- 
worked pastor, How can I care for the lambs when the 
old sheep require my constant care ? 

The Junior Epworth League is " auxiliary to the Ep- 
worth League. " 

"The Junior Epworth League shall have a superin- 
tendent appointed by the pastor, who shall be ex officio 
a member of the cabinet of the Epworth League chap- 
ter. The Department of Spiritual Work of the Epworth 
League is expected to assist the pastor and superin- 
tendent in carrying on the work." — Article II, Section i. 

The organization and success of the Junior Epworth 
League depend very largely upon the interest and atti- 
tude of the Epworth League. This little one is not to 
be despised. It is for the future interest of the Ep- 
worthians that they organize, or assist the pastor in or- 
ganizing, a chapter of Juniors. 

A farmer having a few acres of wooded land upon 
his farm was very careful only to use the overturned or 
dying trees for fuel; the young saplings were carefully 
spared the axe to grow into larger usefulness ; so must 
the Epworth League care for the oncoming Church. 

We cannot close this chapter with more forceful 
words than these, from the Editor of The Epworth 
Herald: 



RELATION TO THE EPWORTH LEAGUE. 49 

" Blow the trumpet. Rouse the forces. Save the 
boys and girls. The Senior League has ridden on the 
wings of the wind. Like a flame driven by a hurricane 
it has spread everywhere. But the Junior League is 
moving more slowly. This ought not so to be. The 
Junior League is one of the most vital departments of 
our work. It has a great field. What a multitude of 
children we have in our Sunday schools under fifteen! 
And when can they be more effectually led to Christ 
and trained for service than in their tender years ? 
The way to have a large Senior League is to graduate 
into it every year a large class of converted and dis- 
ciplined youths from the Junior League. We ought to 
have as many chapters of the latter as of the former. 
Wherever there is a Sunday school there should be a 
Junior League. Pastors, awake ! Officers, awake ! Young 
people of the League, awake ! Push the work among 
the Juniors. We can double the membership of the 
Methodist Church in fifteen years by faithful, soul- 
saving work among the children. It ought to be im- 
possible for a single soul to run the gauntlet of the 
Junior and Senior Leagues and remain unsaved. Let 
our motto be, ' All our Sabbath school scholars for 
Christ through the influence of the two Leagues of our 

Church/ " 
4 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



Children know, 
Instinctive taught, the friend and foe. — Scott, 

IX. 

THE PASTOR AND THE LEAGUE. 

Should the pastor be the superintendent of the 
Junior Epworth League? He must often be from 
necessity. Perhaps there is no one else who is willing 
to organize the society or has the ready tact to fill the 
office successfully. The rule holds good here, however, 
as in the other societies of the church ; the pastor will do 
nothing for his people that they are well able to do for 
themselves. 

In the majority of churches, either in the Epworth 
League or Sunday school, some suitable woman or 
young man and his wife will be the proper persons to 
place in charge of the League. 

The pastor may have the oversight of the League 
without formally holding the office of superintendent. 
Happy is the pastor who has a love for children and a 
ready adaptability to child life. However lacking this 
trait of character may be, it can be cultivated and se- 
cured. Unfortunate is the pastor whose appearance is 



THE PASTOR AND THE LEAGUE. 



51 



so austere that the boys will say when they see him 
approaching, a I say, Bill, let's run ; there comes the min- 
ister! " The pastor must be kind without softness and 
petting; cheerful, but not given to levity. 

There is many a church that has all the material for 
a Junior Epworih League, waiting for the pastor to lead 
out in the movement and appoint some young Chris- 
tians to the charge of the work that would develop the 
latent forces and give new life to the church. 

Very often the pastor can conduct the opening exer- 
cises of the devotional meeting or be present to close 
the Department of Instruction with a short talk ; this 
will be appreciated by the leader and make an event in 
the League which the children will talk about in their 
homes. The pastor can arouse the boys and girls to 
greater devotion in their Christian life and enthusiasm 
in Christian work ; lie can make them feel as no other 
the greatness of the church, the need of loyalty, and 
the best type of Christian manhood and womanhood. 

The pastor who has forgotten that he was once a boy 
himself had better not try to conduct a Junior Epworth 
League ; a boy's religion, like his life, is buoyant and 
hopeful. Pessimistic views of the world, sad and sorrow- 
ful looks, long prayers and long meter hymns, may be of 
use somewhere, but they are not in place here. 

The wide-awake pastor who always has eyes and ears 
open will see and hear much every day that will be of 
interest to the children ; his sympathies will be aroused 



5-2 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



and quickened by being in frequent contact with the 
children. 

It may be, as some have said, hard work to preach to 
children ; but children do not want preaching to very 
much. Talk to them naturally. Begin and end with 
an illustration. Sprinkle them freely all through your 
sermon or talk, as we prefer to call an address to 
children. 

The pastor can help the League by giving notice of 
the meetings from the pulpit and adding a few words of 
encouragement. He can also increase the attendance 
by calling the children's attention to the League while 
making pastoral calls and reminding parents of their 
duty to send their children for religious instruction. 

"Organized sympathy " is what the Rev. J. M. Dur- 
rell calls the Epworth League. Children need and 
crave sympathy ; the description applies equally well to 
the Juniors. 

The pastor can train the children of his church into 
an enthusiastic band for devotion, instruction, temper- 
ance, missions, and social work ; and how can he more 
profitably spend his time and talents ? 

The children will advertise the church and minister 
that interest them ; their parents and friends will soon 
know that the church has a Junior Epworth League, 
"good meetings, ,, and " splendid times. " 

The whole church is not at work until the children 
are at work. The pastor who mingles with the children 



THE PASTOR AND THE LEAGUE. 



53 



will keep his own heart young ; he will not reach the 
" dead line " at fifty years. The Department of Liter- 
ary Work on Friday or Saturday afternoon will be a 
relief from the weightier duties of the pastorate, an un- 
bending of the spring. 

The pastor's relation to the League will very largely 
determine whether there shall be any child conversions. 
The day is coming when we shall look chiefly to the 
conversion of children for our accessions. The coming 
Church will be supported by the systematic gifts of 
both adults and children. The Junior Epworth League 
gives the pastor a rare opportunity to imbed these prin- 
ciples in the hearts of the children. 

Children need the sympathy and care of the chil- 
dren's Saviour. Shall the pastor lead them to Him, or 
allow them to be overlooked? He came as a little 
child ; he understood child life ; when he became a 
man he took them up in his arms and blessed them ; 
he accepted their psalm of kingly triumph ; he said, 
" For of such is the kingdom of heaven ; " he charged 
Peter to feed the lambs. The faithful pastor will pro- 
vide suitable meetings for the children of his church. 
Next to a child's parents stands the pastor in spiritual 
influence. Children respect the office of the ministry. 
Teach the children that there is something beyond 
what they can see and hear and feel. Teach them of 
goodness, helpfulness, love to one another ; to read good 
books, play fair games, avoid evil associates. 



54 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



"The Whole Church at Work " is the motto of the 
times we live in. As well expect a wise, happy, and 
prosperous commonwealth where the early education of 
the citizens is neglected as to expect a powerful, nu- 
merous, and holy Church where the religious instruction 
of the children is not fully provided for. 



PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 



55 



Light is the task when many bear the toil. — Bryanfs Homer's 
" Iliad* 

X. 

PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 

Organization. — It has proved very effective in first or- 
ganizing a League to issue a card which shall be both 
an invitation and an admission ticket. These should 
be distributed at the close of Sunday school one week 
in advance, and be presented at the hour of meeting. 

A novel attendance and membership card is issued by 
Hunt & Eaton ; also a punch can be obtained of the 
same firm. Each card is to be filled out. The cards 
should be kept by the secretary or some other appointed 
person. The cards are to be distributed at roll call to 
all present answering, to their names ; then some boy 
or girl takes the punch and punches out the date. The 
cards are then gathered up again. In this way a cor- 
rect record is kept, the children will be more punc- 
tual in their attendance, and the card makes a souve- 
nir for each member to own at the end of the term. 

A popular way of using these punch-cards is to give 
one to each child, to be used as a certificate of member- 
ship and a ticket of admission, a date being punched 



56 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



out by the leader for every meeting at which the holder 
is present. 

Enrollment. — A book should be provided in which the 
secretary should enroll the names of the members and 
their residences; also, if desirable, their ages, and 
whether baptized or not. The roll should be called at 
every meeting of the League. At the devotional hour or 
prayer meeting it will answer to mark the attendance in a 
classbook without the roll call. In some Leagues the mem- 
bers answer to their names with a verse of Scripture. 

A record of this kind will be found very helpful to 
the pastor in his work among the young. In Sunday 
school work, the baptism of children, securing new mem- 
bers for the probationers' class, members for the Ep- 
worth League, and in u Lookout " committee work this 
record will be found invaluable. 

Total Attendance. — A pleasing way of finding the total 
attendance is as follows: After the League is seated for 
the closing exercises begin at one end of a row and let 
the first member say " One ; " the next member " Two, " 
and so on, until all have been numbered. Make the 
total number an object lesson on the blackboard, with 
remarks at every meeting. If above the average, com- 
mend the League for faithfulness ; if below the average, 
exhort to promptness. 

The report of attendance should always be given at 
the business meeting of the Epworth League, and also 
at the Quarterly Conference by the pastor. 



PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 57 

The following card issued by the Methodist Book 
Concern can be used to advantage as a pledge : 



COVENANT CARD. 





* 


SLoofc up antr not troton. 








PLEDGE OF JUNIOR LEAGUE 


o 
o 






« 

H 


I do hereby promise, with the help of God, to 
try always to do right ; to pray every day ; to read 
every day in the word of God ; to abstain from 
profane language, from the use of tobacco, and 
from all intoxicating liquor ; to attend morning 
Church service and Friday afternoon meeting. 

Signed, 


PS 

s 

« 

o 

«■* 

>»\ 






* 


3Look fortoartr uriti not fjacit. 






* 




MEMBERSHIP CARD. 


1 


* 



THE CHILDREN'S CHURCH. 

The foundation on which we build. John iii, 16. 

The promise given to us. Matt, xix, 14. 

Our Confession : "I love Jesus." 

Our Faith: " I trust in Jesus as my Saviour." 

Our Repentance : " I will try, by God's help, to give 
up everything sinful." 

Our Hope: "I hope in thy word." Psalm cxix, 114. 

Our Worship : Daily prayers ; Bible readings ; loving 
everybody ; doing good. 

Meetings of our church every at 

........ o'clock. 

* * 

Those who have had experience in children's work 
know how much they prize a little card of this kind ; it 



53 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



helps to bind them to the League with strong cords. A 
liberal use of printers' ink will bring a great reward. In 
many churches some boy can be found who owns a 
small press, and who can thus be worked in both to his 
own interest and the success of the League. 

Some pastors use an Edison's mimeograph ; a small- 
sized one is most handy in printing a little sheet for dis- 
tribution at each meeting of the League. 



The following outlines will furnish lessons in Bible 
instruction for several weeks. They can be drawn on 
the blackboard or on detail paper with stick charcoal, 
each section to be drawn in the presence of the League, 
progressing from w^eek to week until the outline is conv 
plete, a review to follow occasionally. 

I. Jesus Christ : 



BIBLE OUTLINES. 



MATTHEW 



MARK 




LUKE 



JOHN 



PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 59 

The diagram will illustrate for whom each of the 
evangelists wrote, and how they presented Christ. 

2. Names: Christ, Matt, xvi, 16. Jesus, Matt, i, 21. 
Lord, Rev. xi, 15. Messiah, John i, 41. 

3. Character: God, John i, 1. Man, John i, 14. Both 5 
Col. ii, 9. 

4. Life: Writers, John xx, 31. Places, Mai. iii, 12. 
Facts, John ix, 4. 

5. Map Exercise : On the blackboard, or, what is bet- 
ter, on detail paper, draw with stick charcoal an outline 
map of Palestine, not to be erased until the following 
lessons have been filled in, which may occupy a few 
minutes at each meeting, to be concluded with a review. 

6. Locate the following Places : Nazareth, Cana, 
Capernaum, Nain, Samaria, Sychar, Jerusalem, Beth- 
lehem, Bethany, Jericho, Machaerus, Bethsaida, Caesa- 
rea Philippi, etc. Other cities can be added and the 
most important events be called out in connection with 
each place. 

7. Locate the following Mountains : Harmon, Olivet, 
Carmel, Lebanon, Ebal, Gerizim, Tabor, Gilboa, 
Nebo, Sinai. Add others and call out their associations. 

8. Locate the following Streams and Bodies of Water : 
Mediterranean Sea, Jordan, Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee, 
Kedron. Treat as above. 

Maps of all the Bible lands can be drawn in like 
manner. Wall maps and map drawing add great inter- 
est to Bible study. Where the League is divided into 



6o 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



classes for instruction this work can be done with but 
little trouble. 

HOW OLD MUST I BE TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN ? 

The League assembled, put the question, How old 
were you when you first loved your parents ? 

Bring out the answer: " Always ; " " Four years old;" 
"Six years old," etc. How many no7v love their par- 
ents ? Hands up ! 

How old did you have to be to trust your parents ? 
How many do ? Hands up ! 

How many obey your parents ? Hands up ! 

Then you can be Christians. To love, trust, and obey 
God is to be a Christian. 

How many will try to be Christians ? 

Sing: 

" Come to Jesus just now, 
He will save you just now." 

BIBLE LESSONS. 

" One thing is needful." Luke x, 42. 

" One thing thou lackest." Mark x, 21. 

" One thing I know." John ix, 25. 

"One thing I do." Phil, iii, 13. 

" One thing have I desired." Psalm xxvii, 14. 

"Who was the first man ?" Gen. ii, 7, 19. 

" Who was the oldest man ? " Gen. v, 27. 

"Who was the meekest man? " Num. xii, 3. 

" Who was the strongest man ? " Judg. xvi, 6. 



PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 



6l 



''Who was the wisest man?" i Kings iii, 5, 11-14. 
"Who was the most patient man?" Job i, 22. 
"Who was the Son of man?" Luke xix, 10. 
Each one of the above can be made the subject of a 
ten-minutes talk in the Department of Spiritual Work. 

THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE. 

Put down the figure 3 ; multiply it by itself and 
put the product by its side, and you have 39, 
the number of books in the Old Testament. Now mul- 
tiply these two figures together (3x9) and you have 
27, the number of books in the New Testament. Add 
39 and 27 together (39 + 27) and you have 66, the 
number of books in the Bible. 

3x3 = 9 — 39, number of books in Old Testament. 

3x9 =27, number of books in New Testament. 

39-I-27 = 66, number of books in Bible. 

The use of the blackboard is urged in all the fore- 
going exercises. A dime spent for color crayons will 
yield a hundredfold in interest among the Juniors. 

It is urged as an excuse by many leaders that they 
have no talent in this direction. Like any other talent, 
this one can be developed. 

A few straight lines to represent men ; a crooked line 
to represent a wicked man ; close together, or apart, to 
indicate nearness ; dots to mark locality. These are 
among the very simplest arts, yet an interest is always 
awakened in their use. " Through the eye to the 



62 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



heart " is the maxim of one well versed in blackboard 
illustration. It is not necessary to be an expert. Use 
and improve the gift possessed. 

HOW TO TEACH THE NAMES OF THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE. 

This simple illustration will be remembered by a 
child of six years ; besides making an interesting black- 
board lesson it contains information valuable even to 
adults : 

Old Testament. 

Pentateuch — 5. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Num- 
bers, Deuteronomy. 

Historical — 12. Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I and II 
Samuel, I and II Kings, I and II Chronicles, Ezra, Ne- 
hemiah, Esther. 

Poetical — 5. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, 
Song of Solomon. 

Prophetical — 17. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, 
Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, 
Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zecha- 
riah, Malachi. 

New Testament. 

Historical — 5. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts. 

Pauline Epistles — 14. Romans, I and II Corinthians, 
Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I and II 
Thessalonians, I and II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, 
Hebrews. 



PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 63 



General Epistles — 7. James, I and II Peter, I, II, and 
III John, Jude. 

Prophetical — 1. Revelation. 

First teach the children the names of the divisions 
and the number of books in each division ; then learn 
the names of the books by groups of five. Call on 
some boy to recite the first five, then upon some girl for 
the second five, then upon the children in concert for 
the whole ten ; or go around the whole class, each 
scholar naming one book in their order. In a course of 
twenty weeks, a few minutes at each opening service of 
the League, the children will readily turn to any book 
in the Bible the leader may call for. 

VARIETY. 

Too much emphasis cannot be placed on variety in 
conducting The exercises of the League. In singing let 
the boys sing the stanza and the girls join them in the 
chorus, and vice versa; try this for two stanzas, and on 
the third stanza ask all to sing. 

Apply this method also in reciting the Beatitudes and 
Commandments. It is better to sing three hymns, two 
stanzas of each, for opening the League, than one hymn 
of five or six stanzas. Try reciting by rows. Con- 
stantly vary your way of doing things ; avoid humdrum, 
rutty, and monotonous ways. 

Enlist the boys and girls in the work as much as pos- 
sible. Let " Russell " and "Sammy" distribute the 



6 4 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



singing books ; " Charlie, will you erase the black- 
board ? " " Ruth, you take up the collection to-day ; " 
" Freddie, get two more chairs and seat those strangers." 
If you make the little people feel that they are necessary 
and helpful you have got them fastened to the League. 

ANOTHER METHOD. 

Write or print on medium-sized cards the abbreviations 
of the Bible books, Genesis, Leviticus, Matthew, Daniel, 
etc. Put them into a box and let each member of the 
League draw one out. If there are more than sixty-six 
in the League, then girls first, afterward boys. After 
all have drawn call for the full name of the book, the 
pupil answering, " J-n-o — John ; " " I-s-a — Isaiah." If 
any cannot answer submit it to the League. The exer- 
cise will be made still more effective by requiring the 
pupil to name the division of the Bible to which the book 
belongs, as, " E-p-h — Ephesians, Pauline Epistles ; " 
" D-a-n — Daniel, Minor Prophets." 

A LESSON IN CHRISTIAN ETHICS. 

How many will try and attend church next Sunday ? 
Hands up ! Exod. xx, 8. 

Sit with your parents or friends. Our behavior. 
Hab. ii, 20. 

How many will try and bring a new Junior next 
week ? Llands up ! John i, 41, 42. 

Do not put on wraps or rubbers during the singing of 



PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 



65 



the doxology. Remain silent for a moment after the 
benediction. 1 Cor. xiv, 40. 

Do not sit at the end of the pew nearest the aisle, 
blocking the way of admission to others. Always rise 
to admit others, if you prefer the end sitting. Offer 
your Bible and hymn book to strangers. 1 Peter iii, 8. 

Take part reverently, thoughtfully, and prayerfully in 
all the services. Psalm xxii, 22. 

TEN SUPPLEMENTAL LESSONS AND HINTS. 

1. Commit choice hymns to memory. 

2. Always kneel during prayer ; pray for the chil- 
dren, their parents, homes, school, church, and associates. 

3. Give an occasional talk on Christian ethics. 

4. Do not let the meeting last more than one hour, 
unless for very special reasons. 

5. Always be cheerful ; bid the League " Good after- 
noon " just at dismission, to which they will respond, 
" Good afternoon." 

6. Memorize Psalms i, xxiii, and c. 

7. Occasionally use a Responsive Service, for example, 
one of those in the Epworth Hymnal, for opening or 
closing. 

8. Organize a League choir. Practice new pieces. 
Often the superintendent will be glad to have the choir 
lead the Sunday school music. 

9. Give an occasional lesson in musical notation. 

10. Chant the Gloria Patri and Lord's Prayer. 
5 



66 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



ADDITIONAL EXERCISES FOR DEVOTION AND INSTRUC- 
TION. 

f Gen. i, i. 

Three verses — First, Least, and Last. < John xi, 35. 

I Rev. xxii, 21. 

Gen. i, 3. 

Three verses on Light i John viii, 12. 

2 Cor. iv, 6. 

Eccles. xii, 1. 
Mark x, 14. 
Col. iii, 20. 

These verses should be memorized by the League 
and be repeated at the opening or closing exercises. 



Three verses on Children. < 



CHAPTERS FOR CHILDREN. 

Baptism. Matt. iii. 
Commandment. Exod. xx. 
Faith. Heb. xi. 
Fiery Furnace. Dan. iii. 
Intemperance. Prov. xxiii. 
Love. 1 John iii. 
Lion's Den. Dan. vi. 
Mother's Chapter. Judg. xiii. 
Prayer. John xvii. 
Shepherds. John x. 
After the advance division of the League are seated 
for instruction see that every one is provided with a 



PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 



6 7 



Bible, and call for the above chapters ; when found let the 
boys and girls read portions as directed by the leader, 
who will make suitable remarks thereon. 

Variety may be secured by giving out in advance a 
topic word, as "love," "peace," "faith," "sin," "joy." 
Let the League memorize a verse containing the word, 
the verses to be recited alone or in concert, also to be 
made the subject of a short talk by the leader. 

TEMPERANCE EXERCISES. 

The methods of conducting the Temperance Depart- 
ment must be either general or special. 

Text-books. — If text-books are used, such as Alco- 
hol and Hygiene The Catechism on Alcohol, or the 
Juvenile Temperance Manual, by Julia Colman, or 
Temperance Lesson Leaves, by F. N. Peloubet, the 
League will, of course, be classified according to age 
and a teacher provided for each division ; thus regular 
and progressive study can be carried on from month to 
month. 

In the above case the opening and closing exercises 
will be held by the League in a body. 

An easier and less expensive method is to make the 
exercises of a general character, rendering divisions un- 
necessary. 

Assemble the League, sing several rousing songs, 
Scripture lesson and prayer, followed by more singing. 
Introduce some speaker previously secured from the 



68 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



Women's Christian Temperance Union, Independent 
Order of Good Templars, or other organization. After the 
address distribute tracts ; follow with closing exercises. 

At these general exercises it is a good plan to utilize 
local musical talent. Fife and drum, violin, banjo, 
and piano playing will add greatly to the interest of the 
hour. 

Temperance Target. — League leaders will find a great 
help in Blackboard Temperance Lessons, by Mrs. W. 
F. Crafts. Draw the picture in the presence of the 
League. The interest never lags. Lesson No. 7, u Tem- 
perance Target," has been used by the writer on several 
occasions, and has been spoken of in after months by 
children and parents. 

Temperance Arithmetic. — Try the following method : 
After the opening exercises distribute lead pencils and a 
leaf from a pencil tablet (both are inexpensive) to each 
boy and girl. Take the Temperance Arithmetic, by 
Julia McNair Wright, in hand, step to the blackboard 
and give out an example, stating it at the same time on 
the board ; let the Leaguers work them out and place the 
result on the board, meanwhile fastening the lesson to 
be taught by general remarks. 

Mental Exercises.— Exercises may be found in the 
same book which do not require paper and pencil. The 
dullest boy in the League will wake up under this method 
of temperance instruction. 

Pledge Signing. — Purchase an illuminated Roll of 



PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 



69 



Honor, and at the close of the exercises, whether gen- 
eral or special, while singing a spirited song call for 
pledge signers to come forward and sign the pledge. 
After the Leaguers have all signed frame the roll and 
give it a place on the wall of the room where you meet. 

Tracts. — Always have a tract or paper for the boys 
and girls to carry away with them ; they are inexpen- 
sive, always appreciated, and oftentimes most effective 
in fastening a truth. 

Experiments. — Few things are more fascinating than 
actual experiments performed in the presence of the 
League. Drinks from Drugs, by Eli Johnson, will fur- 
nish an abundance ; also Lessons for Christian Workers^ 
pages 55-57. 

PRACTICAL WORK. 

The methods in use in this department do not differ 
materially from those of temperance work. It is advis- 
able, however, to make all the exercises of an instruc- 
tive character. As in the Department of Temperance 
Work, the exercises may be either general or special. 
After opening exercises, consisting of missionary hymns, 
prayer, and responsive Scripture reading, divide the 
League into classes by bell-taps and marching. Give 
instruction from the Little Missionary, which contains a 
monthly study, or arrange a list of subjects of your 
own selection, having them printed on a card for dis- 
tribution. General exercises without class divisions are 



7° 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



successful here, as in the other departments. A program 
of readings, recitations, and singing, or a talk from an 
invited guest from month to month, is the order in 
some Leagues. 

VACATION. 

It may be well to repeat here that it is not wise to 
carry on the work of all the departments during the 
whole year. During June, July, and August let work 
be suspended in all but the Devotional Department. 
This department generally includes the Junior League 
prayer meeting, usually held at some hour on Sunday; 
this should continue during the whole year. 

ENTERTAINMENT. 

Two or three times during the year a Junior League 
Social will be in order. Appoint the night two weeks in 
advance. Announce it in the Sunday school and in the 
League. Arrange a program of recitations and music 
by members of the League. Solicit cakes for refresh- 
ments from members of the League. Provide lemonade 
by a draft on the treasury or by a special collection ; 
other expenses can be provided for in the same way. 
A committee from the Seniors will wait upon the tables. 
Let the children invite their parents as visitors. After 
the children have entertained those present announce 
a " social hour." Begin and close early. Remember 
the sick members with flowers or cake. Socials of this 
simple character can be held in the Sunday school room; 



PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 7 1 

they will help to sustain the interest of the League and 
recruit new members. 

HOW TO TEACH THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

" Commandments ten 
God gave to men." 

(Stepping to the blackboard with chalk in hand :) " Boys 
and girls, how many commandments are there ? " " Ten." 
(Put down the number 10 on the board.) "What is 
the first one about?" (Put down the figure 1 on the 
board.) " One God." " Repeat the first commandment." 
(League repeat.) 

"What is the second commandment about?" (Put 
down the figure 2 on the board.) "Idolatry." "Re- 
peat the second commandment." 

" What is the third commandment about ? " " Profan- 
ity." "Boys repeat the third commandment. Girls 
repeat it. All repeat it." 

So go through the whole number. Now change the 
order of the figures on the board so that they will read 
1, 3, 9, 4, 2, 6, etc. Call on the boys or girls separately 
and together to repeat the commandment indicated by 
the figure as the leader points to them on the board. 
Arranged in their proper order you will have : 

1. One God. 4. Keeping the Sabbath. 7. Adultery. 

2. Idolatry. 5. Obedience to Parents. 8. Stealing. 

3. Profanity. 6. Murder. 9. Perjury. 

10. Covetousness. 



7 2 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



These may be made the subjects of a series of talks to 
boys and girls, giving the circumstances under which 
the commandments were given, where^they are found, 
etc. Exod. xx, 17; Deut. v, 6-21. 

BIBLE DRILL. 

" How many have Bibles ? Hold them up where I can 
see them. Now, all be ready, and we will see how 
quickly you can find the following passages. When you 
find the place you may stand up. Gen. xxxii, 24; 
Isa. lv, 7 ; John iii, 6," etc. 

When sufficient time has been given let those stand- 
ing read the passage they have found, and be seated ; 
then announce another, and so on. The leader should 
announce difficult passages from the Minor Prophets, 
Jude, 3 John, etc., until the boys and girls can readily 
" find the place." 

AN AGE EXERCISE. 

"How old are you?" "Five!" "Eight!" "Twelve!" 
"How many are ten years old? Hands up! That will 
do. Will you repeat with me Psalm xc, 10 ? " (All repeat, 
" The days of our years," etc.) (Leader talk about mile 
posts, and compare the passing years to a moving train.) 
" Do the years go rapidly or slowly with you ? " (Various 
answers.) "Well, as you grow older the years will seem 
to go quickly." (Leader exhibit an hourglass so that all 
may see the running sand, and compare it to the days of 
life.) "Repeat with me Psalm xc, 12." (All repeat.) 



PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 73 

(Leader talk about the spiritual birthday, and let the 
League repeat John iii, 3, and close with singing " O 
happy day that fixed my choice." 

OUTLINES OF TALKS TO JUNIORS — OUR KEY-WORDS. 

i. Heart. — " Boys and girls, we have six departments 
of work in our League, represented by six key-words. 
Will you repeat them for me ? " (League repeat : " Heart, 
Hand, Head, Feet, Pen, Pocket.") 

"To-day we are to talk about the first of these, the 
Department of Spiritual Work, represented by the key- 
word 6 Heart/ Place your right hand over your heart, 
and you can feel it beating." (Superintendent, see that 
the children have the correct position.) " Suppose that a 
pear was put inside a bag of the same shape, only turned 
the other way, so that the big end of the bag was round 
the small end of the pear, and you will have a good idea 
of how the heart lies inside the loose bag called the 
pericardium. Now, suppose the pear had nine or ten 
stalks reaching out through the bag; these would answer 
to the blood vessels entering and leaving the heart. 

"Heart work is hard work. The heart never stops to 
rest. The work of a grown person's heart is equal to 
lifting one hundred and ninety-three tons one foot high 
every day. 

" Heart work is important work. By getting angry, or 
smoking cigarettes, the work of the heart is increased, 
making it wear out sooner. When the Bible says, 



74 WORK AND WORKERS. 

6 Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the 
issues of life/ it means that the heart is the seat of 
choosing and feeling. We speak of a hard-hearted man, 
meaning a cruel man, or we speak of a tender-heai'ted 
man, meaning one who is loving and kind. 

" Our hearts are inclined to evil; but God will give us 
clean, pure hearts if we ask him sincerely in prayer ; then 
we shall speak and do right things/' 

Leader look up references : Matt, xxii, 37 ; Psalms 
cxix, 11 ; li, 10; Rom. x, 10 ; Eph. iii, 17, and apply to 
work of this department. 

2. Hand. — " Juniors, attention ! The second depart- 
ment of work in our League is that of Mercy and Help, 
and is represented by the key-word 'Hand.' Look at 
your hands, boys and girls : wrist, eight bones, palm of 
the hand, five bones ; thumb and fingers, fourteen bones. 
How many is that in all? " " Twenty-seven." " Yes, that 
is right. All these bones are so arranged and put to- 
gether as to make the wonderful hand ; with it we can 
hold and manipulate objects in a skillful manner. 

u Our hands may be beautiful as well as wonderful. 
The most beautiful hands are not always the softest 
and whitest, but are often rough and wrinkled with age 
and hard work. Hands that will not do duty, that perform 
work in a slovenly manner, can never be made beautiful 
by graceful form and finger rings. Your fathers' hands 
are dear to you because they work for the money which 
keeps your home and buys your clothing. Your 



PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 75 

mothers' hands are dear to you because they cared 
for you when you were helpless babes ; they bake, 
sweep, mend, and knit for you while you are at play or 
asleep. 

" Every boy and girFwill find some opportunity to do 
good unto others. 

" ' What your little hands can do, 
That the Lord intends for you.' 

" If your hands are employed in doing the Lord's work 
here upon the earth they will carry palms of victory in 
heaven." 

References : Dan. x, 10 ; Matt, viii, 15 ; Mark ix, 27 ; 
Rev. vii, 9 ; Isa. xlii, 6; 1 Sam. xxvi, 18; Zeph. iii, 16. 

Leader apply to work in this department. 

3. Head. — " To-day we are to talk about the third de- 
partment of our League work, Literary Work, repre- 
sented by the key-word ' Head.' Put your hands on 
your head. Hands down ! It is a box made of twenty 
bones, and is called the skull. It contains the brain, a 
gray, soft substance, which weighs, when we are grown to 
be men and women, a little more than three pounds. 
There are twelve pairs of nerves that come from the 
brain to different parts of the body, enabling us to smell, 
see, move the eyes, wink, taste, and hear. Every word 
you speak, every action you perform, leaves its mark for 
good or evil on the brain. Every time you resist temp- 
tation resistance becomes easier ; every time you yield 



7 6 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



to temptation it degrades the nerve organs. How care- 
ful we should be in thought, word, and deed ! 

" When we read, write, sing, talk, or study we use the 
brain ; so in our League work we need to have clear, 
strong brains." 

References : Num. iv, 7; 2 Kings iv, 19 ; Prov. x, 6 ; 
John xiii, 9 ; Rev. ix, 7 ; 1 Cor. xi, 3. 

Leader apply to department work. 

4. Feet. — " Juniors, you may name over the key- 
words and stop at the fourth." (Repeat, u Heart, 
Hand, Head, Feet.") " Good! That is right, ' Feet/ 
A pure heart, beautiful hands, a clear head, and willing 
feet. 

" What you learned in our talk about the bones of the 
hand will apply to the feet; but in the feet the bones 
are less movable than in the hands. We have read, 
however, of persons born without hands who learned to 
write and paint with the toes. God made our feet more 
beautiful than those of any animal ; our arched instep 
enables us to walk, run, jump, and move about more 
easily and gracefully than any other living thing. You 
see our key-words are full of meaning. 

" In the actual work of this department we must have 
willing feet. Going on errands for mother, seeking 
new members, and in all work requiring the taking of 
many steps our feet must be swift and beautiful for the 
Lord." 

The boys especially like this department of work, be- 



PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 77 

cause it takes in the "Junior Guards," or "Epworth 
Guards ; " they know how important it is to have the 
right position and " keep time " in the drill and march. 

Christian boys and girls will always be careful to walk 
in the straight and narrow way that leads unto eternal 
life. 

References: Psalms xl, 2; cxix, 59; Luke viii, 35; 
Acts iii, 7 ; Rom. iii, 15 ; Heb. xii, 13. 
Apply to department work. 

5. Pen. — u The department of work represented by 
the key-word ' Pen ' is that of Correspondence. You 
have heard the proverb, ' The pen is mightier than the 
sword ; ' its meaning is that greater things have been 
done by writing books, magazines, and papers than 
have been done by fighting battles with guns and 
swords. Some of you may have read the book called 
Uncle Toms Cabin ; many people think that the reading 
of that book did more toward liberating the slaves than 
many battles. 

u It is very necessary that the records of our League 
be kept nicely and correctly. The secretary does this 
important work. He can help the pastor and Sunday 
school superintendent by writing notices for the pulpit. 

" I know you all enjoy reading the letters from the 
Juniors in The Epworth Herald ; also reading about what 
other Leagues are doing ; this is good work for you 
to do. 

" When you are away from home you are glad to hear 



78 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



from your friends. Your secretary can write to absent 
or sick members, sending love and prayers from the 
League. Once the president of a League was many 
miles away from home on the sad mission of burying 
his father ; after the regular meeting of the League 
the secretary wrote the president a letter of remem- 
brance, sympathy, and prayer, and several of the Juniors 
signed it; the president will always remember that letter 
with great pleasure. ,, 

References : Psalm xlv, i ; Judg. v, 14 ; 3 John 13 ; 
Job xix, 24. 

Apply to department work. 

6. Pocket. — " Juniors, what is the last one of the six 
key-words?" "Pocket." u Ah, yes, you can all remem- 
ber that; it is the last, but not the leasts of our depart- 
ments of work ; it means the consecration of our money 
to God. 

" Boys and girls like to have one or two pockets in 
their clothes. How proud you are when you get a new 
suit of clothes, or a new jacket with three or four 
pockets in it, especially when you have some money to 
put in the pockets ! John Wesley, the founder of Meth- 
odism, had the following good rule : 

" ' Make all you can, 

Save all you can, 

Give all you can/ 
"Of course you cannot earn much money while you 
are young, but whether you earn it or it is given to you 



PRACTICAL HELPS AND HINTS. 79 

you should learn to save it while you are young. Pennies 
are easily spent for candy, nuts, and toys. You should 
each have a bank at home and put some of your pennies 
in it to keep for future use. 

" While earning and saving your money do not forget 
the giving. All. the gold and silver belongs to God. 
We must do good with it. When the collection is taken 
for missions, education, or church extension you can 
put in a nickel or a dime from your bank and so help 
the cause along. 

" The collection in your League should be enough to 
pay for all your books and papers, your charter, banner, 
and other things to make your League interesting." 

References : Isa. lv, 2 ; Mark xii, 41 ; Luke vi, 38 ; 
2 Cor. ix, 7 ; Prov. xxviii, 27 ; Acts xx, 35. 

Leader apply to department work. 

PRAYER MEETING TOPICS. 

1. How Christ makes us free. John viii, 32-36. 

2. Clean hearts {Heart). Psalm li, 10-13. 

3. Keeping the Sabbath. Exod. xx, 8-1 1. 

4. Jesus among the flowers. Matt, vi, 28-30. 

5. Juniors at play. Zech. viii, 5. 

6. Beautiful hands {Hand). Zeph. iii, 16. 

7. Jesus by the lakeside. Mark i, 16-20. 

8. Prayer and forgiveness. Mark xi, 25, 26. 

9. Lessons from a lunch-basket. John vi, 5-13. 
10. Missionary rally. Matt, xxviii, 19, 20. 



8o 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



11. True knowledge {Head), i Cor. i, 19, 20. 

12. Juniors at school. Eph. v, 16. 

13. Boys who succeed. Prov. xxii, 29. 

14. Confessing Christ. Matt, xvi, 13-18. 

15. The fruitless tree. Luke xiii, 6-9. 

16. Girls who succeed. Exod. ii, 4-8. 

17. Willing feet {Feet), Eph. vi, 15. 

18. Temperance rally. 1 Cor. xi, 25-27. 

19. Juniors at home. Psalm ci, 2. 

20. Are you converted ? Matt, xviii, 1-6. 

21. The Junior's Thanksgiving. Neh. viii, 10. 

22. The ready writer {Peii). Psalm xlv, 1. 

23. Reading the Bible. 2 Tim. iii, 5. 

24. Noah's ark. Gen. vi, 14-22. 

25. Christian giving {Pocket). Luke vi, 38. 

26. The birthday of a king. Luke ii, 8-16. 

27. Good and bad habits. Song of Sol. ii, 15. 

28. Our heavenly home. John xiv, 1. 

29. Promise meeting. 2 Peter i, 4. 

30. Obedience. 1 Sam. xv, 13-23. 

31. Springtime. Song of Sol. ii, 11-13. 

32. The boyhood of Jesus. Luke ii, 52. 

33. Children's Day. Mark x, 13-16. 

34. The afflicted child. Mark ix, 14-32. 

35. The last lesson. Rev. xxii, 17. 



APPENDIX. 



81 



APPENDIX, 



CONSTITUTION OF THE JUNIOR EPWORTH LEAGUE. 

Article I. Name. — This organization shall be known 
as the Junior Epworth League, and shall be auxiliary to 
the Epworth League. 

Article II. Organization. — i. The Junior Epworth 
League shall have a superintendent, appointed by the 
pastor, who shall be ex officio a member of the cabi- 
net of the Epworth League chapter. The department 
of Spiritual Work of the Epworth League is expected to 
assist the pastor and superintendent in carrying on the 
work. 

2. Where no chapter of the Epworth League exists 
the Junior Epworth League may be organized, and shall 
be under the control of the Sunday school board. 

Article III. Object. — The object of the Junior Ep- 
worth League shall be to promote in its members an 
earnest and intelligent spiritual life, bring them into 
membership in the Church, and train them in works of 
mercy and help. 

Article IV. Membership. — i. Members shall be 
6 



82 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



boys and girls under fourteen years of age. Divisions in 
the membership may be made for purposes of greater 
efficiency. 

2. Names of persons proposed for membership shall 
be given in writing to the secretary, and they shall 
become members when elected by a majority vote of the 
members present at any regular meeting. 

Article V. Depart?7ients. — The work of the Junior 
Epworth League shall be carried on under the same 
general plan as that of the Epworth League. The fol- 
lowing is the arrangement of departments : 

Department First. Spiritual Life. — The key-word 
Heart denotes that the first work of the Junior 
League is the development of true heart-life. The 
conversion of the children should be the purpose of 
every Junior superintendent. Plain and simple teaching 
of our doctrines and instruction in Christian duties will 
result in personal acceptance of the Saviour. Attention 
should be paid to testimony. Let the children be taught 
to testify in their own way to their own faith. The same 
is true of prayer. Our Juniors should practice in public 
prayer in their meetings. 

The truest evangelism is personal work. Converted 
children can do much to bring other children to Christ. 
This is a most important part of the work. 

Department Second. Mercy and Help— The key- 
word Hand denotes helpfulness — a hand reached out 
to do good. The Juniors are taught unselfishness. The 



APPENDIX. 



measure of one's ability to help others is the measure of 
his value in the world. 

Temperance work : By signing the pledge, by holding 
a monthly temperance meeting, by circulating temper- 
ance literature. 

Tract distribution : By giving out tracts and religious 
papers. 

Visiting the sick with cheerful words, flowers, and offers 
of help. 

Missionary Work : Local work, helping in the church 
missionary collection, and by doing some definite work, 
such as supporting an orphan in some foreign field. It 
is a good thing to have a monthly missionary meeting. 

Department Third. Literary Work. — The key-word 
Head means intellectual life and training. Children 
should be taught that all knowledge is laid under tribute 
to the growing believer. There should be study of the 
Bible as a book. There should be drill in the history of 
our own Church, in the " ten points of doctrine," and 
Catechism, etc. Our children should grow up intelligent 
Methodists. 

Literary meetings may be held with great profit, simple 
rules of parliamentary practice taught, and much done 
to secure correct habits of thought and a taste for good 
literature. There will be a Junior Reading Course, care- 
fully selected with reference to the carrying out of this plan. 

Department Fourth. Social Work. — The key- word 
is Feet. The meaning is a life of busy activity. 



8 4 



WORK AND WORKERS. 



Seeking new members : The children seeking the chil- 
dren to bring to them the inspiration of League ideas ; 
bringing especially to children of irreligious homes such 
influences as will help in all their after lives. 

This department will have much to do concerning 
wholesome entertainments. The children must have en- 
tertainment. There will be room for much wisdom and 
experiment, but it is wise to take pains. First lessons 
are likely to be permanent. 

Music is an important factor in the work. Let the 
best hymns be systematically taught and committed to 
memory, and let good music be furnished for all meetings. 

Badges should be worn. Let all Juniors be taught 
their meaning and taught to stand by their colors. 

Epworth Guards : If possible have a company of boys 
embodying the military idea. 

Department Fifth. Correspondence, — The key-word 
Pen means training in the keeping of records, and this 
is more important than at first appears. W riting to ab- 
sent members will keep them interested and loyal. Sys- 
tematic furnishing of all notices for the pulpit and the 
papers will be excellent training. 

Department Sixth. Finance. — The key-word is 
Pocket, and means the consecration of our money to 
God. No more important work can be done than to 
rightly train the Juniors how to save money in the years 
when discipline is needed, and how to give money in the 
years when habits are being formed. Give the Juniors 



APPENDIX. 



85 



information concerning our great causes, and teach them 
to give. 

Let the business matters of the Junior Epworth League 
be attended to in a strictly business-like way, and let the 
League learn to be self-supporting. 

Article VI. Officers. — The officers shall be an 
adult superintendent appointed by the pastor, who shall 
have general oversight of the work ; a president, four 
vice presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, who, together 
with the superintendent and pastor, shall constitute the 
cabinet of the Junior Epworth League. 

These officers shall be elected by ballot by the mem- 
bers from among their own numbers at a regular meet- 
ing, and shall take their places in the order named. 

Article VII. By-laws. — The Junior Epworth 
League may enact such by-laws as it shall require, in 
accordance with the provisions of the above Constitution. 

Modifications of this Constitution may be made to suit 
the special needs of different localities. " Mission 
Bands/' "Bands of Hope," "Girls' Sewing Circles," and 
like societies may become departments of the Junior 
Epworth League. 



This Constitution and Plan is to be worked wherever 
practicable. It will pay pastors and superintendents to 
take the trouble necessary to give it a thorough test. 
Wherever this cannot be done fully let it be done as 
nearly as possible. 



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